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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

How to Make a Snowman Tree Topper

This year we decided to have colored lights on the tree, and because of this one change I needed to make some decorating changes - the gold and white angel on top such a vibrant tree just wouldn't cut it. So I came up with a how to make your own Christmas decoration, a Snowman Tree Topper. Hope you like this tutorial and are inspired to make one too!

LilMan thought it was a puppet at first :)

The kids just LOVED it! This year our tree is so fun, festive and kid friendly - I must say I like it a lot too :)

Supplies you'll need to make your own Christmas tree topper:

10 Inch Styrofoam Ball

Glitter

Glitter Blast Clear Sealer

Glitter Blast Black Spray

Stiffy Fabric Stiffener

Ribbon (the Green Ribbon I decided not to use and used Red instead)

Black Felt

Orange Felt

Random decoration in the floral department

Square dowel rod

Elmer's Spray Adhesive

Acrylic stones

Zip Ties

Liquid Nails (or a hot glue gun)

I cut the dowel rod down to 16 inches and poked into (not all the way) the Styrofoam ball.

By using the dowel rod, you'll be able to zip tie it to the top of the Christmas tree with it toppling one way or the other (that was the only thing I didn't like about the Angel). And with the dowel rod in place you can handle the ball a lot easier.

I sprinkled glitter on the ball and then sprayed it with the Glitter Sealer.

Once the top hat was ready, I brushed Stiffy Fabric Stiffener on the brim of the hat and on some of the sides (but not all of the sides so I could fold it in a bit for styling). Then let that dry overnight.

The next day, the hat was dry, I then took the Black Spray Glitter and sprayed it all over the hat.

While the hat dries again, I used a good old standby - duck tape to stand up the snowman ball so I could place the hat, eyes, nose, mouth and decorate the hat. I used Elmer's Spray Adhesive on the back of the ribbon and placed the ribbon on the top hat.

Some fun details:

The hat decoration was a floral piece. I cut a small hole in the hat and poked it through.

To add a little sparkle to his eyes, I glued some acrylic gems.

How fun is this!

What is your favorite or most memorable homemade Christmas tree decoration?